Chuck and Betsy Copps, a married couple from Fulton, like to bring the patriotism and play it straight when singing the National Anthem, such as this version earlier this year before a Syracuse Crunch game at the War Memorial.Scott Schild | SSchild@syracuse.com

Fulton — Chuck and Betsy Copps like to joke that they sing in exchange for tickets, and in the case of their work for the Syracuse Crunch, they keep their profits organized.

The Copps have sung the National Anthem for 61 Crunch games since 2002, including exhibitions and playoffs. Chuck, the precise half of the duo, writes the score of each game on the back of every ticket.

By his calculations, Syracuse is 31-30 in games preceded by the Copps' renditions.

"We had some lean years early on,'' Chuck bemoans.

Ah, but like all good teams, the Copps improve with time. They were the unofficial good luck charm of the Crunch's run to the Calder Cup Finals last year, singing at nine of the team's 10 home playoff games.

Syracuse's record in those nine games was 6-3. The Copps started 6-0 before even their mighty vocal chords were overpowered by the dominance of Grand Rapids in the War Memorial during the Finals.

"I'll go on, what have you done for us lately?'' Chuck said of their four-leaf clover effect. "I'll take the playoff run last year.''

The Copps have graced sporting events all across Central New York with their version of the National Anthem, from high schools to Le Moyne College to Oswego Speedway to the Chiefs.

But the Crunch has become their true calling card, a regular gig the Fulton couple could have never envisioned when they began their public signing careers in 2001.

Chuck, a facilities painter at Le Moyne, and Betsy, director of information and compliance at Oswego County Opportunities, always enjoyed singing in their church choir. In 2001, both were helping paint a bathroom in the house of Chuck's father.

Naturally they sang while they worked, and the acoustics in the bathroom were pretty good. That helped embolden them to pursue one of Chuck's bucket list items — performing the National Anthem at a sporting event.

They auditioned for the Syracuse Chiefs and got the job, but their first game was rained out. Two weeks later they tried again and made their debut.

"At that time, we figured, that's what we want to do,'' Chuck said.

A few weeks later, 9/11 struck. In October of that year, the Copps sang the anthem at a community memorial service and were struck by the importance and emotional impact of their straight-forward deliveries of the song.

"We realized that our singing of the National Anthem is all about the song and the country,'' Chuck said. "It's well-received. People like to hear it the way we sing it.''

Chuck and Betsy, both 53, who have been married for 30 years, recently took some time to review the high and low notes of their singing careers:

Who is a better singer?

Betsy: "I guess it depends upon what you're looking for. If you're looking for the quality to reach an audience, Chuck is a better singer. If you are looking for a technical quality, it's me.''

Chuck: "It's not a question of better. Betts has a beautiful voice. It's a matter of how we're singing together. The night's I've sung it alone (a few times Betsy couldn't make it), the first question is, 'Where's your wife?'''

A traditional performance vs. stylized deliveries

Betsy: "We like to present it as opposed to perform it. We're not looking down to how anybody else does it. Overwhelmingly, we've gotten feedback from people (saying), 'We really appreciate how you guys sing.''

Chuck: "My opinion is the National Anthem should be presented as our country's National Anthem. It's about the song, not the singer.''

Performance length

Chuck said their version runs about 1 minute, 10 seconds. Not 1 minute, 5 seconds. Not 1 minute, 20 seconds.

One minute, 10 seconds. Give or take a half-tick.

"That's the kind of man he is. I couldn't tell you,'' Betsy said.

Betsy said they sang at one Silver Knights game that had to be delayed because the team had trouble getting all the fans in on time. Someone from the team asked the couple if they could help out by singing an elongated version of the anthem.

They said no.

"There is no variation to what we do. Our goal is to present the National Anthem, with no flourish,'' Chuck said.

Keeping it loose

Betsy: "Sometimes before I go out I'll say, 'What are the words again?' (Chuck will say), 'Don't say that.'''
Have they ever forgotten the words?

Both say that's never happened to them, but Chuck said a couple of times he's lost his focus and paused where he shouldn't have. At that point, Betsy, ever the good teammate, has jumped in to pick up the verse

"You have to finish the song,'' Chuck said. "That's the thing about live performing. There's no do-over.''

The Canadian National Anthem

In 2003, the couple decided to learn "Oh, Canada,'' so they could perform it when teams from north of the border visit the Crunch. It was a natural for Chuck, who grew up as a Montreal Canadiens fans.

"It's easier to sing (than the U.S. National Anthem),'' Chuck said. "It's an easier melody.''

In Montreal, the Canadian Anthem is often sung half in English and half in French. Might the Copps undertake the challenge of a bilingual version of their own?